Eight persons including a woman and her four children were killed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue state.
It was gathered that the armed men who stormed the community, a border town with Nasarawa State, at about 7:30pm on Tuesday, August 24, when majority of the youths were still at the market square because it was a market day.
According to reports, assailants sneaked into the community from one of the forests bordering Benue and Nasarawa states, opened fire on the woman, her four children including a set of twins and some others.
Franc Fagah Utoo, Principal Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor, who is from the community, condoled with Mr. Peter Akera who lost his wife and four children as well as others who lost loved ones described the attack as dastardly and unacceptable.
According to Franc Fagah Utoo, late Akera’s wife gave birth to their children after two miscarriages.
“This is Peter Akera, the young man facing me bare chested. He is a friend and a brother, and more importantly, a very determined young Nigerian. Last night, Fulani Herdsmen invaded Yelewata, my village, a border town with Nasarawa State, and killed his wife and his entire four children. The wife was preparing supper for the little kids who were playing around,” he narrated.
“The murdered woman experienced birth difficulties. She had two miscarriages before God finally blessed her womb and she was able to birth 4 children, among whom was a set of twins
“Unfortunately, last night (Tuesday, 24 August, 2021) armed Herdsmen sneaked into her compound shortly after dusk, around 7:30 PM and shot and butchered her with the kids, while the husband was still in the market place. Three other people were also killed.”
Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Mr. Caleb Abah who confirmed the attack said it was unprovoked.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) was Yelwata market day and the people were still in the market around 7pm when the armed herdsmen came and started shooting sporadically. In the end, eight people were killed, two persons were injured and one other person was abducted and is yet to be released till now. The injured have been taken to a private hospital for treatment since the doctors in government hospitals are still on strike.” he said.
Spokesperson of the command, DSP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the attack however said the police had record of six deaths while two others sustained injuries.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) August 24, at about 7:45pm we received an information that unknown gunmen invaded Yelewata community and attacked the first compound or house that is nearest to the forest. When they opened fire, the police men posted to Yelewata area responded immediately and were able to repel them,” she stated.
“Six persons were shot and almost dead at that point, but they were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital while two persons are currently receiving treatment as at this morning.
“We want to assure the Yelewata community that we will continue to support them just like we did yesterday, if not for the police officers on ground it would have been worse than this.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Akingbola Olatunji was there this morning to console them and to look out for better deployment that we can make to cover up any of the loopholes or any place they came out from to attack
“The area is porous because it is a boundary community between Nasarawa and Benue state state with a lot of forest area but we will continue to do our best to secure the area.” the PPRO added.
